The number of problem debts listed on the BKR credit register has risen 45,000 to 720,000 over the past 12 months, the agency said on Wednesday.

The continued economic downturn has led to an increasing number of people failing to make payments, the credit register said. Some 8.3% of the people in the BKR register are now behind with payments on at least one of their loans, up from 7.7% a year ago.

The BKR said in February the number of households at least four months behind on their mortgage repayments rose 25% last year.

The BKR lists credit agreements with banks, mortgage providers and other official credit agencies. Failure to pay for four months is considered a default.

The organisation also wants information about student loans, tax, health insurance and other debts to be included in its records. This, it says, would allow banks to make a more considered opinion when assessing the financial situation of people who apply for a mortgage.